Deep Down

Tracked

"I think it's time to go back to the others." The male softly said trying not to hype me up again. His warm arms slowly unwrapped from around my waist, now leaving that area cold. When I opened my arms I looked up and saw those blue eyes reflecting into my green ones. Those orbs looked into mine and gave me a sense of security. I took a deep breath, letting the cool air flow through my lungs.

When we parted from the hug, he took my hand and gave a quick reassuring squeeze. I expecting him to let go but he didn't. His large shirt still hung loosely on me, providing me a nice source of warmth. My tights were still dripping, but there wasn't anything that could be done about that. He led me through the woods, hand in hand. Within a few minutes of weaving in and out of trees and bushes until we get to the waterfall. Before we are in front of where everyone can see us, Vale gives me one last hug. Huh, I wonder why he's acting like this, but whatever.

I took my sopping shirt and swung it over a branch, so it can air out and dry. Dakota was sitting in the shallow waters and was holding a hand full of water, shaping it into different shapes and such. I looked over to Devina and saw that she was also hanging the blankets, that Dakota carried, on branches also so that they can warm up. I made my way over to her.

"Hey Devina, how have things been?" I asked her.

"Honestly I'm stressed out. Dakota and I feel that something isn't right in the atmosphere. It's almost as if everything has changed. Also, I'm worried about food and them coming to get us, no doubt they're on thei- I'm sorry I shouldn't be worrying you about this." She informed me, clearly stressed.

"No, I'm glad that you had told me. I've been worrying too about all that," I nervously laughed. "Besides, bottling it all up isn't healthy for you, at all." I smiled.

"Thank you, Hailey. You have a kind nature to you." She hugged me unexpectedly.

The hug lasted for a minute or two and I could tell that she had a lot of emotion in that hug. After the embrace was over, I made my way over to the branch that my top was hanging on. I climbed up the branch, swinging my legs over the edge. The light was refreshing and keeping me warm, along with what Vale gave me. I closed my eyes and lifted my head towards the sun. I was so relaxed until I heard hard footsteps running my way. I opened my eyes to see Aiden coming over to me.

"Hailey, I am so, so sorry. I didn't think you'd react like that." He looked up at me, seeming to sincerely apologize.

"The blames on you if I get sick from freezing." I looked back down at him.

He chuckled, "Yes, the blame is on me, isn't it?"

"I really wanna smack you right now," I told him.

"I would wanna smack me too."

After a few minutes, we were both laughing, putting what had happened behind us. After a few minutes of making jokes about himself, the male's eyes suddenly opened wide. I followed his eyes, seeing what he was looking at. And it seemed to be my chest area. I quickly threw my arms over myself.

"What the hell are you looking at, Aiden?!" I loudly exclaimed.

"Huh...oh. Oh! OH NONONONO I WASN'T LOOKING AT YOU LIKE THAT!" His voice went up high and his face turned a deep shade of red.

"Then what were you looking at, you creep!" I shouted.

"That shirt! That shirt is all that I was looking at, I swear!" He explained himself.

"Why're you looking at the shirt?" I questioned.

"That's Vales shirt, right? Why are you wearing his shirt?" He raised one eyebrow.

"Because I got cold from you launching me into the water!" I pointed to the pond, where Dakota was still swimming, without a care in the world.

"So you have to wear his shirt?"

"Yes! To keep warm!"

"Well if anything, you should be wearing my shirt because I'm the one who caused it!"

"You're so overdramatic!" I was starting to get hyped up again, and I think Vale started to notice this.

Vale came up to me as I jumped down from the branch, no longer relaxed. I took a moment and saw that Devina was looking, but didn't look like she really didn't care. Dakota was just in his own little world. Aiden looked at Vale with a look that said, 'What the hell?'

"Aiden, could you please give her some space. Yes, she is wearing my shirt, but is that really of your concern?" Vale said.

A sigh left from the male's mouth, and I could tell by the look of his face that he was trying to calm himself down. He knew he caused this to be my reaction. He huffed one more time and walked away. He put on a big smile and walked towards the waters. Vale smiled and held out his hand so I could walk with him. 

The gesture made me smile, taking the stress away for a moment. The smile he gave me was genuine. Everyone here was stressed out, and that smile is what I needed.

"Thank you, Vale, for everything." I told him, "I'm not sure how my mood would be right now if you hadn't found me."

He showed me that big smile. "Anything for you, --and anything for the group. We all need to help each other out and keep cool."

"How about Devina? Have you got anything about what's on her mind?" I asked.

"No, she seems to keep quiet. I can just sense that she's the type of person to keep to herself, but when she needs help, she knows when to reach out." That made me worry less about her.

I was about to say something before I heard the only other female in the group call my name. I looked over to where it came from, and I saw a scared looking Dakota hugging tightly onto Devina.

"Vale, Hailey, get your things. We need to go." Devina's tone was rushed. I looked over and saw Aiden gathering the blankets and the basket with the remaining few berries inside of it. I tensed.

"What's going on?" Vale questioned, getting my top from the branch that it was drying on.

"I can sense them, so can Dakota."

Devina wasn't looking towards us, but instead, her eyes were concentrated on the forest, where all the trees suddenly had thick branches sprouting from them. The once smooth bushes and flowers were now covered in thick thorns. I looked as Vale froze every single thing in the area, to slow whoever, or whatever was coming. Aided looked determined as he hoisted Dakota onto his shoulders.

"Hailey, I know you're mad at me, but you need to stay by me," Aiden said.

"Why?"

"They're tracking us."